The councillor, more and more enchanted with his guest, read to him his translations and his commentaries; and, unhoped-for favor! last evidence and proof of confidence! showed him the precious manuscript.
At sight of this Létorière manifested such a passionate and jealous admiration, that the doctor began to regard his guest with uneasiness, and almost regretted his imprudent confidence.
"Do you and your housekeeper live alone in this house?" asked the Marquis suddenly, with a gloomy air, passing between his hands the precious manuscript, as if he wished to appropriate it to himself.
"Can it be that he is so enthusiastic in his admiration of Persius that he means to assassinate me and steal my manuscript?" queried the councillor of himself.
But the Marquis, putting the manuscript back into his hands, exclaimed vehemently:
"For the love of Heaven, sir, hide it, hide it! . . . Pardon a madman!"
And he ran precipitately from the room, covering his eyes with his hands.
The councillor shut up his treasure, and found his guest seated, looking dejected, in the library.
"What's the matter, young man?" said the savant with interest.
"Alas! sir, pardon me! At the sight of that manuscript an infamous, a monstrous thought took possession of me . . . in spite of the holy law of hospitality."